Performance of some cherry cultivars growing on different planting distances

The paper consist results from evaluation on influence of planting distance on vegetative and reproductive characteristics of 'Ziraat 0900' and 'Cordia' grafted on Gisela 6 rootstock. The experimental cherry orchard was established in 2002, in Negotino (central part of Macedonia). Training system of the trees is central leader with 3 different planting distances (5x2.5, 5x3 and 5x3.5 m). The orchard is under drip irrigation system. The study has been performed during two consecutive years. The following parameters were investigated: trunk cross sectional area, crown volume, crown area, yield, yield efficiency and quality characteristics of the fruits. The results show that in the first growing years the planting distance reduces only the crown spreading in the row and development of the trunk area while it did not influence the other vegetative characteristics. Also higher density planted trees have insignificantly lower productivity compared to those planted at higher distance but contradictory they have significantly higher yield estimated per area.